Dolores County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Dolores County are maintained at the Dolores County Combined Courts in Dove Creek. The courthouse is at 409 N. Main Street. Dolores County is part of the 22nd Judicial District, which also covers Montezuma County. Civil cases filed in Dolores County include contract disputes, debt collection, property claims, and other matters heard in district or county court. The Dolores County Clerk of Court keeps all civil case files and can make copies for anyone who asks. You can search for Dolores County civil court records online through third-party vendors or request documents in person at the courthouse. This page walks you through how to access and get copies of civil court records from Dolores County.

Dolores County Courthouse and Clerk

The Dolores County Combined Courts are in Dove Creek at 409 N. Main Street. This is the only courthouse in Dolores County. All civil court records for the county are kept here. The phone number is 970-677-2258. You can call during business hours to ask about civil case files or schedule a time to come in and review records. The Dolores County Clerk of Court maintains all case files for both district and county court civil cases. District court handles claims with no dollar limit. County court takes claims up to $25,000. Small claims go up to $7,500. The clerk can search records by name or case number and tell you what is in the file.

The Dolores County court page on the Colorado Judicial Branch website has contact details and hours for the courthouse. You can also find local court forms and links to state resources for civil filings. Dolores County is a small, rural county in southwest Colorado. The courthouse staff can help you find what you need when you request civil court records in person at the Dove Creek courthouse.

Search Dolores Civil Records Online

You can search Dolores County civil court records online through CoCourts, a commercial vendor that pulls case data from the Colorado state court system. A statewide search costs $10. State courts without Denver cost $5. CoCourts shows the Register of Actions for each civil case. It lists the filings, motions, and court orders in the case. It does not provide copies of the actual documents. To get document copies, you need to contact the Dolores County Clerk of Court or submit a request through the online records request form from the Colorado Judicial Branch.

For current case info, check the docket search portal on the Colorado Judicial Branch website. This free tool shows scheduled hearings and recent filings. It does not show the full case file. It helps you track what is happening in an open civil case in Dolores County. If you need older records or more detailed documents, contact the clerk at the courthouse in Dove Creek. The Dolores County Combined Courts keep all civil court records from the 22nd Judicial District for cases filed in Dolores County.

Note: Some records may be sealed by court order or restricted under Colorado law, so check with the clerk if you have trouble finding a specific civil case in Dolores County.

Filing Civil Cases in Dolores County

Civil cases are filed at the Dolores County Combined Courts in Dove Creek. The court you file in depends on your claim amount. District court has no cap. A plaintiff pays $235 to file. The defendant pays $192 to answer. County court hears claims up to $25,000. The filing fee ranges from $85 to $135 based on the amount in dispute. Small claims handle disputes up to $7,500. Filing costs $31 for claims under $500 and $55 for claims from $500 to $7,500. These fees follow the state schedule in JDF 1 from the Colorado Judicial Branch.

You can file civil cases in person at the courthouse or by mail. Some filings may be submitted online if you have an attorney with access to the court's electronic filing system. For pro se litigants, most filings are done on paper. The clerk can give you the forms you need. You can also download forms from the Colorado Judicial Branch website. Once your civil case is filed in Dolores County, the file becomes a public record. Anyone can request access to it under the Colorado Open Records Act.

Copy Costs and Document Requests

Plain copies of civil court records cost $0.25 per page in Dolores County. Certified copies cost $20 per document. A transcript of judgment is $25. A name search is $5. If you are a party to your own case, the copy cost is capped at $15. These rates are set by Chief Justice Directive 06-01 and apply to all Colorado courts. You can pick up copies in person at the courthouse in Dove Creek. You can also request copies by phone or mail. Call 970-677-2258 to ask about the process and cost for the civil court records you need from Dolores County.

For large requests, research and redaction fees are $30 per hour after the first free hour. This applies if the court needs to pull many files or redact protected details like Social Security numbers. Most requests are filled within three business days under C.R.S. § 24-72-200.1, the Colorado Open Records Act. If you need a faster turnaround, ask the clerk if expedited service is available. You can also pay court fees online through the state payment portal for civil cases filed in Dolores County.

Public Access to Dolores Civil Records

Dolores County civil court records are public. You do not need to give a reason to see them. You do not need to be part of the case. Anyone can request access. The Colorado Open Records Act requires courts to make records available within three business days. The Dolores County Clerk of Court is the custodian of these records. Chief Justice Directive 05-01 controls what records are open, sealed, or restricted. Most civil case files are fully public. Some may be sealed by a judge's order. Others have protected details blacked out. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account info, and information about minors. The rest of the file is open in Dolores County.

To request civil court records, visit the courthouse in Dove Creek or call 970-677-2258. You can also submit a request through the state's online form. The clerk will pull the file and let you review it or make copies. There is no limit on who can access these records. The only restriction is that sealed files require a court order to open. For most civil cases in Dolores County, the entire file is available to the public as soon as it is filed with the court.

Cities in Dolores County

Dolores County has no cities that meet the population threshold for dedicated pages on this site. The county seat is Dove Creek. Civil court records for all Dolores County residents are kept at the Combined Courts in Dove Creek.

Nearby Counties

Dolores County is in southwest Colorado. It borders three counties. Each has its own courthouse and keeps civil court records separately from Dolores County.